Brooks saddles?

I'm sure this has been discussed many times, but I am very new here and don't really know where to look.

I also fit into many categories. I am a 59 year old Clydesdale who is back to cycling to lose weight, get fit again, and to just enjoy. I plan to do some day trips, but not really sure I'll ever be ready for full touring, but would like to. I intend to do a lot more on my bike and become a lot less dependent on my car, so I need info on utility cycling.

Amyway, with all that said, I think I want a Brooks saddle. I ride a 10 year old GT Virage Hybrid that I dearly love. I am used to it and it just sits me right. I have changed over some components as needed and am very happy with it. I do need a new saddle. I am currently using a pretty old Trico gel saddle with a cutout. I do have a suspension seat post so do I need a "sprung" saddle?

So which Brooks saddle? Are they really pretty comfortable from the first ride or are they pretty bad at first. I've read a lot of opinions, but would love to hear more. I have a great relationship with my LBS, but the return guarantee from the Brooks place( sorry forgot the name) here on the forum is too good to pass up. Do I get a standard B17 or is there something better for an overweight old guy. I ride about 10 a day now, but when I'm in better shape, I will ride 18 to 25 a day.

Sorry for the long rant, but I wanted you fine folks to have as much background as possible to help me make a decision.

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Originally Posted by making

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At first it was a tad uncomfortable on my 'sit bones', but now I can already see my butt bones in the saddle and I find it more comfortable. I've only done 30km trips so far, so final judgement will be on a 100km plus ride to see how comfortable it is. But it seems hopeful.

When I first bought it, I tapped my knuckle on the hard leather and it made a firm "thump" sound....okaaayyy, this is supposed to be more comfortable?!! But it seems to be true, it's breaking in.

Take a look at the B67 too. It's a little wider than the B17 and is sprung. I find it more comfortable with an upright posture than the B17. Other saddles you may wish to look at are the B33 and the B73.

Don't be concerned about the weight of the saddle, you are riding to get in shape and not racing, comfort is paramount.

i'm a clydesdale older than you and have a b-17.....from the first ride it worked fine for me........any "pain" was from the muscles that hadn't been used in a looooong time....other than that, tailbone was fine. I got mine from wallbike.com and they have a 6 month return policy if you don't like it.

Like homebody says, go with wallbike.com. I needed about 150 miles for mine to break in, but right out of the box, it was better than what I had. With a suspension seatpost, you shouldn't need one of the sprung models, and a Brooks with springs is the very devil to fit a seat bag to.

Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.

Take a look at the B67 too. It's a little wider than the B17 and is sprung. I find it more comfortable with an upright posture than the B17. Other saddles you may wish to look at are the B33 and the B73.

Don't be concerned about the weight of the saddle, you are riding to get in shape and not racing, comfort is paramount.

The B67 is a very nice saddle. I have it on my Around-Town fixie which affords a more upright riding position.

Interestingly enough, I swapped the saddle over to my Cross-Check which is built up for moderate touring and was pleasantly surprised with the ride. Granted the CC's sporting Midge bar elevated quite a bit, but even in the drops it was still comfortable.

I have B72 on my mountain bike that came with a used bike. Some people are squeamish about that, since it probably soaked up sweat and whatever from a previous owner but that doesn't bother me. Even though it had shaped a bit to the last guy's butt I still find it comfortable enough but a bit too short...i wish the nose was an inch longer. It's intended for slightly upright riding. I just bought a B17 for my Bike Friday last weekend but have been out of town and haven't ridden it yet

Please note that some sprung Brooks saddles like the B72 have double rails (two on each side) and can't be mounted on seat posts with integrated clamps without buying a special adapter (a "seat sandwich"). I found an traditional straight seatpost on eBay that was the right guage for my bike and the Brooks clamp fits on that. If you have an integrated clamp you can buy a seat sandwich from Harris Cyclery http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_sa...l#seatsandwich and perhaps elsewhere.

Just got my B17 from Wallbike.com and "proofed" it and just took a short ride on our street.

I have to say it is pretty comfortable right out of the box. I do slip some. Does that stop pretty quickly? I think I have it adjusted pretty well and the nose is up some, so I certainly do not slide off forward.

It is supposed to start raining pretty soon and then for the next couple of days. I sure hope not. I would love to get a couple of rides in soon.

Thanks everyone for the help with this choice. I may regret not waiting for the new one with the cutout, but I just couldn't wait!

Just got my B17 from Wallbike.com and "proofed" it and just took a short ride on our street.

I have to say it is pretty comfortable right out of the box. I do slip some. Does that stop pretty quickly? I think I have it adjusted pretty well and the nose is up some, so I certainly do not slide off forward.

It is supposed to start raining pretty soon and then for the next couple of days. I sure hope not. I would love to get a couple of rides in soon.

Thanks everyone for the help with this choice. I may regret not waiting for the new one with the cutout, but I just couldn't wait!

Ride in the rain...a little water ain't gonna hurt you or the bike and it will help break in the saddle faster.
If the saddle gets wet, let it dry completely then reapply some Proofide.

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I'm young and thin as a stick, but I never had any problems with my B17. It was pretty much comfortable right out of the box, although with every ride it got more and more comfortable. I absolutely hated my stock saddle though.

I am 49, 5'10 1/2" and 185 1bs, just put a B-17 on an old steel bike. I might have 25 miles on it but I am loving it already. Nothing hurts. I rode a bit last night, made a little adjustment, and like some people say, it felt like it pretty much disappeared under my behind. Mine is on an road bike with handlebars a little higher than the saddle (my back isn't too good and I was never flexible anyway).

I don't really have pain problems, but do have numbness issues, if you know what I mean. How are Brooks for this? Should I holdout for the new cutout model? Thanks

I am 58yo 6'2" and about 200# give or take a few, I have always used a Brooks saddle with great sucesss. I just got the new Brooks B17 with cutout, it's great, no numbness issues. Not everyone can ride a Brooks but if you can, I highly recommend the new Brooks B17 when it comes out.